#1
S2E2
MP3s
MP3s transformed how we listen to music — and spawned digital piracy. Streaming helped the industry recover, but how can artists get their fair share?
Episode Ratings Grid
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The peaks and the valleys. Find the essential episodes — and the ones to skip.
#2
S1E3
The Rise of China
In the 21st century, China has become a global economic powerhouse. Why was the rest of the world so slow to notice its rise to the top?
#3
S1E4
Plastics
Plastics have transformed how we live, but progress comes at a high price: 7.8 billion tons of waste. Are plastics a miracle or a catastrophe?
#4
Bottled Water
S2E5
#5
GPS
S2E1
#6
Credit Cards
S2E3
#7
High Fructose Corn Syrup
S2E10
#8
Lasers
S2E7
#9
The Space Race
S1E2
#10
Fast Food
S1E1
Lowlights
Feminism has ushered in sweeping changes to society, securing rights for women around the world. How much further do we have to go?
#19
Home Workouts
S2E8
#18
Nuclear Power
S1E8
#17
Dating Apps
S2E6
#16
AIDS
S1E9
The Quality Arc
Each point is an episode, plotted in order. Colored bands mark season boundaries. Look for the rise, the plateau, or the decline.
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Episode Engagement
High votes + high rating = beloved classic. High votes + low rating = notorious stinker. Low votes + high rating = hidden gem.
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Season Momentum
Did each season build or fizzle? Green means the finale outscored the premiere. Red means the opposite. Longer arrows, bigger swings.
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Season Consistency
How steady is each season? Tightly clustered dots mean reliable quality. Scattered dots mean a wild ride.
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